Duterte takes a peek at Leila’s jail

DAVAO CITY — Curiosity got the better of President Duterte when he took a peek at the detention cell of Sen. Leila de Lima at the custodial center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“Nagpunta ako doon sa Crame, sinilip ko ‘yung presuhan niya. Pssssttt. Gusto kong sabihin o… Malayo man. Nagpunta ako sabi ko, saan na ‘yung g*** na ‘yun? Doon dinala ako. Magtawag (I went to Crame, I took a peek at her prison cell. But I was far from the place. I went there because I asked where is she. And I was brought there),” the President told hundreds of participants to the Sulong Pilipinas business forum held at the EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City the other night.

De Lima was arrested last February on drug charges and has since been held at the Camp Crame custodial center where former senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada are also detained.

Sources said PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa was the one who pointed to the President the location of the custodial center.

“Doon (there) sir, doon sir,” Dela Rosa was heard saying to the President as they were on their way to the ceremonies for the 116th Police Service Anniversary at Camp Crame.

The President likewise joked about attempting to replay a video of De Lima with her pet dog that she always carried to her office.

“Sandali lang (just wait), I’m trying to replay the video. Huwag kayong maingay (keep quite), you are disturbing me. I can still see the dog na ‘yung karga-karga niya palagi sa opisina niya (that she always carried around in her office),” Duterte said.

Duterte stressed that he could not even fathom the propensity of De Lima to convince international human rights groups to fight for her, claiming that she is a prisoner of conscience.

“Tapos magpunta dito (then they go here) to declare. Can she be house arrested because she’s a prisoner of conscience?” Pu… Pagka-b**** talaga itong mga. You are losing the matters there. I cannot imagine that her capacity to. Imagine, she can even convince foreigners – ‘yung mga t***** mga EU,” he added.

The President said he could not also understand how people are pushing for her pardon.